Aikido is all about balance and misdirection, my balance vs. theirs. I am reasonably strong. I found it "easier" to grab and throw rather than evade and misdirect. I simply did not understand this "relax" thing. I could have been a little old lady with good technique and done better.

This is an interesting issue for me. I was often told to relax in the few years I took of Aikido, but I found it hard to.

Systema was a revelation to me. I learnt in a very short time a whole series of relaxation exercises and techniques that literally relaxed the body. I also began to understand more of the relaxation/tension dynamic of the human body.

A lot of MA instructors forever tell students to relax, but they can't show them how to relax, which is where the problem lies. It is possible to teach the body to relax, as I found out in Systema.

I often wondered if the Ki exercises in Ki Aikido performed a similar function???

<< I often wondered if the Ki exercises in Ki Aikido performed a similar function??? >>Sorry, can't be of help there.The only thing I know about Ki is what I have heard second or third hand. It usually involves trying to define just what Ki is. There seems to be a great diversity of opinions. From the FORCE to kindly thoughts and everything in between. By then I had stopped listening. FWIW None of the three dojo I have attended claimed to do Ki style.

Aikido and weight training are not incompatible, any more than any other style of cross training might be considered, if the goal is to be more fit, or have more stamina and be able to protect your body better. It's called "conditioning."

This kind of cross training is not going to directly improve your execution of any given aikido techniques -- "Keiko, keiko, keiko" is the only thing that works, here. HOWEVER, cross training can improve your physical ability to take proper ukemi, and give you a little more strength and flexibility to "hang in there" so that you can absorb the nuances of the technique being executed. Just don't over do it, and pay close attention to your body's need for rest and recovery.

From personal experience: Improve your core muscles, and increase your stamina and endurance, and you will find it easier to concentrate on executing proper technique and proper ukemi.

There are plenty of kettlebell exercises that can help make you pretty strong but also train your body as a unit. You need to use your arms, legs, core, everything in order to perform them correctly. I think this type of exercise is right up the aikidoka's alley.

<< I often wondered if the Ki exercises in Ki Aikido performed a similar function??? >>Sorry, can't be of help there.The only thing I know about Ki is what I have heard second or third hand. It usually involves trying to define just what Ki is. There seems to be a great diversity of opinions. From the FORCE to kindly thoughts and everything in between. By then I had stopped listening. FWIW None of the three dojo I have attended claimed to do Ki style.

My introduction to aikido came through doing chi exercises, and I was totally blown away the first time I slammed into my sensei's chi during training. It was like hitting a brick wall and bouncing off of it. I don't think it has anything to do with your own physicality, tho. I was physically tiny back then, but once I got properly grounded no one could pick me off the floor.

I strong support strength training, but not for the sake of doing aikido, just for overall body mechanics and health.